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Page 57
for the conviction that his initial instinct had been right. Alinor wanted no talk of love from him.
"The wolf that loves England."
That could only be John, Ian realized, but what had he said? All his memories of that first day in Roselynde were blurred by fatigue, and completely unimportant compared with Alinor's acceptance of him.
"You may remember, Alinor, but I do not. I was half dead on my feet."
"You said you had much to say to me on the subject of caging the wolf but pleaded tiredness not to match words with me. You had better match them now or reconsider your offer to take me to wife. I am no meek and obedient slave. Where my lands and my people are concerned, I will see where I go before I set a foot forward. I will not be dragged, will I nill I, into treason. If I saw a reason for itor rather, some hope of success, because the reason is self-evident"
"Alinor," Ian snapped. "There is no treason in my heart or my mind. John is King of England, and I will do my uttermost to preserve him in that state with my mouth or with my body."
The sincerity of that statement could not be mistaken. Alinor was annoyed with herself. She knew Ian had done fealty to John. Honorable idiot that he was, he would not break that oath. She had gone the wrong way about finding out what she wished to know.
"I know you do not wish to supplant the king," she said pacifically, "but are there not other forms of treason?"
"In my mind, no."
That was flat and clear. As far as Ian was concerned, it ended the discussion. He began to loosen his grip on Alinor's hands, but she turned them and gripped his. Ian thought he knew Alinor; he had been her friend for many years. He had argued with her before, but her argument had always been maintained

 
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